Nashville could be in mix for 2026 World Cup site if North America wins bid

The Nashville investor group bidding for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Music City unveiled preliminary designs Monday for a 30,000-seat stadium that would transform the aging Metro-owned Fairgrounds Nashville.
Ayrika Whitney/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Nashville is on a list of cities from the U.S., Mexico and Canada that were sent requests for information Tuesday to declare interest in serving as a host if North America wins a bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nashville is one of 34 U.S. cities that received the request from the United Bid Committee of the United States. Nissan Stadium, with a capacity of 69,143, would serve as the venue if Nashville is selected.

“Nashville would be thrilled to serve as a host city and welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the single greatest celebration of international soccer," Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said. "Nissan Stadium continues to outperform expectations for attendance at soccer matches that come to Music City, and I hope that by 2026, Nashville will be well underway as a top competitor in Major League Soccer.”

The ball gets by United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) for Panama's lone goal during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

United States defender Graham Zusi (19) reaches out to console Panama forward Gabriel Torres (9) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

Panama midfielder Gabriel Gomez (6) reacts to a call with United States forward Dom Dwyer (14) on the ground during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Jillian Fisher, dressed as Wonder Woman, leads the chants with the American Outlaws as they parade to the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com

Haley Cooper holds up a scarf with today's game and date as she joined with other American Outlaws who got excited before US met Panama in the Concacaf Gold Cup at Nissan Stadium.
Saturday July 8, 2017, in Nashville, TN
Larry McCormack / tennessean.com

Patrick Arkenberg shouts with the American Outlaws to get excited before US meets Panama in the Concacaf Gold Cup at Nissan Stadium.
Saturday July 8, 2017, in Nashville, TN
Larry McCormack / tennessean.com

United States defender Jorge Villafaa (2) heads the ball defended by Panama midfielder Edgar Yoel Barcenas (8) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

Panama midfielder Edgar Yoel Barcenas (8) jumps on top of United States defender Matt Besler (5) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

Justin Brunken, center, sings the national anthem along with other American Outlaws and a crowd of 47,622 before the US meets Panama in the Concacaf Gold Cup at Nissan Stadium.
Saturday July 8, 2017, in Nashville, TN
Larry McCormack / tennessean.com

Panama midfielder Edgar Yoel Barcenas (8) and United States midfielder Kelyn Rowe (6) go after a ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) reacts to giving up the Panama goal during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

Panama forward Abdiel Arroyo (22) takes a shot defended by United States defender Matt Besler (5) during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) watches the action late during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

United States midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (11) and Panama forward Miguel Camargo (18) battle for the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Kelyn Rowe (6) hits the ground chasing after the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Panama forward Gabriel Torres (9) and United States defender Matt Besler (5) battle for the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Panama defender Michael Amir Murillo (2) was carried off the field during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States forward Dom Dwyer (14) plays the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States forward Dom Dwyer (14) jumps into the arms of midfielder Kelyn Rowe (6) after scoring during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan (1) makes a save before giving up Panama's first goal during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States forward Dom Dwyer (14) celebrates his goal with his teammates during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States forward Dom Dwyer (14) celebrates his goal during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (11) and Panama forward Miguel Camargo (18) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States defender Matt Besler (5) and Panama midfielder Edgar Yoel Barcenas (8) go up for a header during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States head coach Bruce Arena talks to his team during a water break during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Panama defender Luis Ovalle (17) and United States midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (11) go up for a header during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Kelyn Rowe (6) and Panama forward Miguel Camargo (18) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Dax McCarty (13) and Panama midfielder Anibal Godoy (20) battle for a ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States defender Graham Zusi (19) heads the ball in front of Panama forward Miguel Camargo (18) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Joe Corona (10) and Panama defender Luis Ovalle (17) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / Tennessean.com

Panama midfielder Anibal Godoy (20) and United States midfielder Dax McCarty (13) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / Tennessean.com

Panama forward Miguel Camargo (18) and United States defender Graham Zusi (19) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Dax McCarty (13) and Panama forward Ismael Diaz (10) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Kelyn Rowe (6) and Panama forward Miguel Camargo (18) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Lacy Atkins / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Dax McCarty (13) and Panama forward Ismael Diaz (10) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Dax McCarty (13) and Panama forward Ismael Diaz (10) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States midfielder Joe Corona (10) tries to get the ball from Panama defender Luis Ovalle (17) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States defender Matt Besler (5) and Panama midfielder Edgar Yoel Barcenas (8) tussle for the ball in the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

The U.S. team and their young soccer escorts listen to the National Anthem before the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

United States head coach Bruce Arena walks the sideline before the start of the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

A fan dressed as an American hero talks on his cell phone during a parade to the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com

Sean, Connor, Dan and Jennifer Kelly, of Bandera, Tx., drove 15 hours to get to the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer game at Nissan Stadium Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. "We're die-hard soccer fans. We cut down trees to raise the money to come watch the U.S. play."
Lacy Atkins / Tennessean.com

“You look at the presentation the MLS made Monday night on the new stadium, the (CONCACAF Gold Cup) U.S. game and the ICC game played here in July, which both drew a total of 100,000 fans, and the momentum for the city continues to be positive.”

Authorities from the U.S., Canada and Mexico submitted a North America bid for the 2026 World Cup matches. If North America wins the bid a certain number of matches would be played in each of the three countries.

Seven cities in Canada and three in Mexico received the requests, known as RFIs, along with the 34 in the United States.

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John Ingram, owner of Nashville SC, talking about Nashville's hopes for an MLS team.
Logan Murdock

“The host cities included in our bid will be critical to its success — not only because of their facilities and ability to stage major events, but because they are committed to further developing the sport of soccer by harnessing the impact of hosting a FIFA World Cup — and looking beyond the game itself to make a positive contribution to our communities and the world,” said United Bid Committee executive director John Kristick.

The deadline for each city to declare its interest and be included in the bid process is Sept. 5.

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The United Bid Committee will then provide more detailed bid documentation to the cities and conduct meetings to discuss any questions as candidate cities prepare their final bid, which will be due in January.

All stadiums are required to have at least 40,000 seats for group stage matches and a capacity of at least 80,000 to be considered for the opening match and the final.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament with the expanded 48-team format.

“Being on that list and being considered is certainly significant and a positive,” Ramsey said. “There’s a lot of things that are out of our control as a city, but if the U.S. is successful you certainly want to compete for one of those spots.”

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter. Joey Garrison contributed to this story.